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What do you need to think about when a tenancy comes to an end? One of our houses learns about when tenants and landlords need to give notice and the process when a tenancy ends.
Ending a tenancy video (transcript)We open on a Sad House and a Happy House talking. Sad house is crying. Happy house: What’s the matter? Sad house: My tenants, I think they’re leaving me. Happy house: How do you know? Sad house: They’ve been seeing other houses. Phone calls, texts, it all makes sense now. Happy house: They can’t just up and leave, they have to do it the right way. Sad house: What’s that? Happy house: Well, if it’s a periodic tenancy, the tenants must give the landlord at least 28 days written notice. The landlord can only end the tenancy in certain situations and must give at least either 63 or 90 days’ written notice, depending on their reason. Sad house: So, we’ve still got some time together. Happy house: Yeah, and if it’s a fixed term tenancy, the tenants can’t end the tenancy early. They must pay rent until the end date, or try to reach an agreement with their landlord to end the tenancy early. Another option is to try to assign the tenancy to someone else. But look, they’re at the stage where they want kids and you’re more bachelor material. [Three birds fly over and poo on the roof of Sad house] Sad house: Crying Happy house: When it’s time to move on, tenants on a periodic tenancy must give at least Happy house: 28 days written notice, unless you agree on a shorter time with the landlord. Happy house: To end a fixed-term tenancy early, try to come to an agreement with the landlord. Happy house: Or, ask to assign the tenancy to someone else. Landlords can’t decline this unreasonably if the tenancy agreement was signed on or after the 11th of February 2021. Happy house: Take your things with you and leave the property clean and tidy. Happy house: Landlords; you can only end a tenancy in certain situations. Give tenants at least either 63 or 90 days’ written notice, depending on the reason for ending it. Happy house: If you have a fixed-term tenancy you can only end the tenancy early if the tenants agree. Include your reason in the notice you give to the tenants. Happy house: If a fixed-term tenancy ends without the tenant or the landlord ending the tenancy properly, it automatically becomes a periodic tenancy. Happy house: When tenants leave, it's best to meet them at the property to make sure it’s okay. Happy house: Complete and sign the bond refund form with them and send it to tenancy services to have the bond refunded. Happy house: There’s more info at tenancy.govt.nz |
